As you deck the halls this season, keep fire safety in mind. Whether you prefer a live tree, festive lights or glowing candles, help make the holiday season bright and accident-free by ensuring that your decorations are safe.

Here are holiday decorating fire safety tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Park Service.

If you choose a live tree, keep it fresh and in a fire-safe spot.

Instead of a cut tree, consider buying a tree that can be planted in your yard after the holidays. You might also choose an artificial tree that you can use for many years.

If you decide to decorate with a cut tree, look for a fresh one. The stump should be sticky, and the needles should be green and difficult to pull back from the branches. Test the tree by bouncing the trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree is too dry, creating a potential fire hazard.

Choose a spot for your tree away from any fireplaces or heat vents. Cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood that can better absorb water, then place the tree in an appropriate size, stable tree stand with a water reservoir. Water the tree daily and remove it from your home when it is dry.

Don’t leave the tree up for longer than two weeks. When you take it down, dispose of it properly. Do not burn it in a fireplace or wood stove.

Check holiday lights carefully and put them up properly.

Don’t use indoor lights outdoors, and vice versa. Look at the tag near the plug to verify the type of strand. Outdoor lights are UL/FM listed for cold and wet conditions and tend to burn hotter than indoor lights. Indoor lights are cool enough to be used on the tree but are not designed for outdoor conditions. Many newer lights are made for use either indoors or outdoors; check the tag to be sure.

Inspect holiday lights before you put them up. Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections.

Use clips, not nails, to hang your lights. To prevent water from entering the wiring, avoid piercing or damaging the insulation.

Do not overload electrical outlets. No more than three mini-light strands or 50 screw-in bulbs should be linked together. Do not run extension cords under carpets or across doorways, heaters, lawns or high-traffic areas. Make sure that cords are not pinched under or behind furniture.

Be smart about candles and other decorations.

Instead of burning candles, consider decorating with battery-operated candles with the look, feel and smell of wax candles.

If you decide to decorate with burning candles, keep them at least 12 inches from burnable materials and never leave them unattended. Place candles in nonflammable, non-tip candleholders before lighting them.

Never use candles on holiday trees or where medical oxygen is being used. Keep candles away from children and pets.

For all of your holiday decorating, use nonflammable decorations placed away from lights and heat vents. Avoid smoking near decorations.

Sources:
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Park Service